From O'Hare to Havana
I know we've had to push it back a few times ... but I'm happy to say that www.oldhavanafoods.com is set to launch Tuesday, December 2nd!
As we prepare to introduce you to authentic Cuban black beans ("frijoles negros"), my great-grandfather's famous "Picadillo" (or Chili Cubano) along with Old Havana history, music and and culture, I'm remembering the start of this long journey.
It began nine years ago in Havana. On assignment for WGN News, I traveled to Cuba's capital city with then Governor of Illinois, George Ryan. We were part of a historic delegation from the Land of Lincoln - on a chartered United flight direct from O'Hare to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport. Ryan was the first sitting U-S governor in 40 years to visit the island of Cuba.
With Ryan on that 1999 visit were a group of top Illinois business leaders - the CEO of Peoria-based Caterpillar and Decatur's Archer Daniels Midland, among others. Cuban leaders rolled out the red carpet for the Illinois VIP's, eager to impress the governor with the richness of authentic Cuban food.
I remember sitting at a fancy tourist restaurant with the governor when they served us "frijoles negros." With great pomp and ceremony, the waiters came around dropping a big spoonful of this famous Cuban comfort food on our plates. Black beans are a big deal wherever you find Cubanos (both on and off the island).
And though the flavor wasn't bad, I was struck at how much better my old family recipe was. It was at this very moment, sitting in a Havana restaurant, that I first thought about marketing my own version of authentic Cuban black beans.
Although I dreamed about it for years, it would be some time before I summoned the courage to embark on the challenging effort to bottle the old family recipe. As you might imagine, the demands of my job as a veteran Chicago news reporter and the birth of two kids made moving ahead rapidly a difficult proposition.
There's been a lot of work involved and I can hardly believe it but finally I'm ready to bring my famous black beans to Chicago! Thanks again for your many messages of support and encouragement. I'll let you know how things turn out once we launch.